Liam Payne was ‘intoxicated,’ ‘causing chaos’ before fatal fall: 911 call
The 911 call regarding Liam Payne’s death has been made public.
The former One Direction member died near a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, local law enforcement confirmed Wednesday, after he fell from the third-floor balcony of the Casa Sur hotel. He was only 31 years old.
A 911 call obtained by Reuters on Thursday features the hotel’s front desk manager speaking in Spanish, requesting immediate medical help for “a guest who is under the influence of drugs and alcohol.” The staff member stated that when the guest was “alert,” he was “causing chaos in the entire room.”
The operator verifies the hotel’s location, and the hotel staff adds: “We urgently need someone to come because, frankly, I’m not sure if the guest’s life is in danger. He has access to a balcony, and we are quite concerned that he might do something to harm himself.”
The hotel manager revealed that Payne had been at the hotel for “two or three days.”
On Wednesday, the police in Buenos Aires stated that they received a report about “an aggressive individual who may be under the influence of drugs and alcohol.”
According to the Buenos Aires police, Payne’s fall led to “gravely severe injuries,” and he was pronounced dead at the scene, reports The Associated Press. Alberto Crescenti, director of public emergency medical services in Buenos Aires, confirmed Payne’s passing in a statement to local media, as reported by Todo Noticias and La Nacion.
YSL News has reached out to representatives for Payne and Casa Sur hotel, as well as the Buenos Aires city officials, for comments.
Payne gained worldwide recognition as a member of the now-disbanded pop group One Direction, alongside Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson. He is survived by his son, Bear, age 7, whom he had with British singer Cheryl Cole.
Many celebrities and family members are expressing sorrow over his death, although Cole has not made a statement yet. On Thursday, Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, and Louis Tomlinson released a collective statement addressing Payne’s tragic loss.
“We are utterly devastated by the news of Liam’s passing,” the statement began. “In due time, when we are all ready, we will share more. But right now, we need time to mourn and process the loss of our dear brother. The memories we created with him will be cherished forever.”
The statement concluded: “For now, our hearts go out to his family, friends, and the fans who cherished him alongside us. He will be terribly missed. We love you, Liam.”
If you or someone you know is battling substance use issues, you can contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This service is confidential, free, and available in both English and Spanish.